Process for fastening of a stop arrangement to a line and a line having a stop arrangement connected thereto

ABSTRACT

A process is provided for fastening a stop arrangement to a line with an associated swivel and snell on the line. The stop arrangement is initially in a closed annular shape and is secured to the line by deformation of the stop arrangement via at least one annular portion of the stop arrangement at the same time, one or more support portions are provided for the mounting of a clip directly to the stop arrangement ( 17 ″). A connecting arrangement between line and snell comprises the aforementioned stop arrangement and the aforementioned clip.

The present invention relates to a process for fastening of a rigid,shape-stable stop arrangement to a line, especially for closing off oranchoring a rigid, shape-stable clip having associated swivel and snell,rotatably mounted about the line.

The present invention is consequently directed more particularly to aprocess for fastening said stop arrangement, which is included in linefishing equipment which forms the connection between the line andassociated fishing hooks each fastened to the line via its respectiveswivel and intermediate snells which are fastened to the fishing hook.

In addition the invention relates to a line having snell connectedthereto, where the snell is connected via a swivel with a clip, whichcooperates with a rigid, shape-stable stop arrangement which is securedto the line.

Hitherto there have been proposed a series of different stoparrangements and different ways of fastening such stop arrangements to aline and different ways for connecting the stop arrangement toassociated clips and different ways of fastening such connectingarrangements at specific positions on the line.

In GB 2 074 027 two opposite stop arrangements are proposed which arefastened individually to the line and where the swivel itself isfastened rotatably mounted directly on the line, without intermediateclips.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,302 there is pivotally mounted on the linebetween two opposite stop arrangements a spherical connectingarrangement having an annular groove for receiving an attachment noosewhich is arranged at the end of the snell.

In FR 2 629 984 a stop arrangement is fastened on the line in the formof a first stop member having a U-shaped cross-section for installingthe line sideways in the stop arrangement and a second insert memberwhich is adapted to be snapped into engagement with the first stopmember for locking the stop arrangement to the line in an immovablemanner. A clip is adapted to be received pivotally mounted in an annulargroove on the periphery of the stop arrangement, a clip being snapped inplace an the stop arrangement in an annular locking engagement.

In GB 2 035 021 a stop arrangement is shown of split ring form whichreceives pivotally mounted in an annular peripheral groove a connectingarrangement in the form of a split sleeve and an equivalent splitfastening portion projecting laterally outwards for the fastening meansof the snell.

In the known constructions various types of stop devices are employed.According to a first example two clamp members of plastic are employed,which are squeezed into a snap engagement with each other from each sideof the line. According to a second embodiment the stop devices are castin place on the line. By the use according to a third embodiment ofcorded material a portion of the stop device is thrust inwardly into thecross-section of the line or a connecting means is fastened through thestop device and inwardly into the line.

In WO-A-92/01372 two opposite stop means are proposed which are fastenedindividually to the line and where a clip or split ring means isfastened rotatably mounted directly on the line between said stop means.Each stop means is illustrated in the shape of a clip, the opposite endsof which each is provided with an inwardly extending, inturned endportion to be inserted in the line. The clip is being clamped intoring-shape simultaneously as the end portions are penetrating into theline or into the strands of the line. Said penetration may damage theline or the strands of the line and/or may cause a restricted fasteningof the stop means to the line.

In all the known solutions the forces which can be transferred from thestop device to the line without the line being destroyed or without thestop device being destroyed are thus limited.

With the present invention, the aim first and foremost is a solutionwhere the stop device or stop devices can be fastened in a stable andreliable manner, without damaging the line, and with the possibility oftransferring relatively large forces between the stop device and theline brought about by tension in a snell via a swivel and an associatedclip.

The afore-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention by aprocess of the kind indicated by way of introduction, which ischaracterised in that the rigid, shape-stable stop arrangement is madeof corded material in shape of a deformed closed ring, is mechanicallysecured to the line by said deformation, and that a clip is anchoreddirectly on and rotatably mounted directly on the stop arrangement or isrotatably mounted about the line and is closed off in an intermediatespace between two stop arrangements.

By means of suitable tools, the stop arrangement or the stoparrangements can be secured in a rapid and effective and at the sametime reliable and gentle manner on the line, in readiness for thetransfer of partly large forces in the longitudinal direction of theline to the stop arrangement or the stop arrangements.

In known constructions there is used for example a clip which is closedoff between two separate stop arrangements or which is pivotally mountedwith bearing portions which are arranged on each side of a common,intermediate clip or a clip which is closed off externally on the stoparrangement.

The process according to the invention can be used for fastening stoparrangements for all the three such modes of fastening mentioned.

In NO 170 663 a stop arrangement is employed in the form of a metal ringhaving a spherical outer surface. It is not stated concretely with whichfastening means the stop arrangement is fastened to the line.Furthermore there is employed a clip in the form of a claw-shaped body,which has an equivalent spherical inner surface, in order to be able topermit rotatable mounting of a clip on the metal ring with the sphericalsurface. The claw-shaped body has an inherent elasticity, so that it canbe snapped into engagement with the stop arrangement. This solution hasthe weakness that as a result of the snapping action, based on theinherent elasticity of a clip, it is not sufficiently stable as to shapeand therefore is not adapted to transfer significant forces between clipand stop arrangement. The solution will therefore be unsuitable for linefishing at large ocean depths. In addition relatively sharp end edges ofa clip can be freely pivoted inwardly into the line and damage this.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,989 a stop arrangement is shown in the form of aknot made by means of the line itself and where a disc for the fasteningof snells is pivotally mounted directly on the knot on the line. Theline illustrated is not designed for use for commercial line fishing,but on the other hand is designed for a line for use in angling.

With the present invention the aim as a further aspect is to produce asimpler connecting arrangement which provides a better, that is to saystronger and thereby more reliable fastening for the snell on the lineand which provides a simpler and more robust connection between stoparrangement and clip.

The process according to the invention is in this connectioncharacterised in that a clip, which initially is approximately C-shapedor U-shaped, is mechanically fastened in place on the stop arrangementin a surrounding, rotatably mounted engagement with the latter, bydeformation of a clip to an approximately or substantially annularcontour.

The line according to the invention is characterised in that the rigid,shape-stable clip on deforming the material of the clip is mechanicallysecured directly on the stop arrangement in a rotatable engagement withthe latter, a clip covering parts of the line and the intermediate stoparrangement, while a clip projects with its end edges a distance axiallyoutside the stop arrangement and surrounds parts of the line at acertain radial distance form the latter, and the stop arrangement isreceived in a middle, internal guide groove, which is defined an axialdistance within end edges of a clip, so that the stop arrangement andthe middle guide groove jointly guide a clip pivotally mounted relativeto the stop arrangement.

According to the invention there is achieved a surprisingly simple andeffective solution with favourable effects, particularly with respect tostrength in order to take up particularly large weight and tensionloadings. The solution also provides the basis for remaining favourableuse characteristics, such as ready pivotal mounting and ready control indifferent directions relative to the line, together with the possibilityof preventing wear of the line during use.

With a simple and compact annular stop arrangement, which has a minimaldimension in the longitudinal direction of the line, one can accordingto the invention anchor a clip on the stop arrangement in an effectivemanner with the possibility of a large transfer of force between clipand stop arrangement and further directly to the line, while the stoparrangement can transfer loading forces in an effective manner inarbitrary directions from a clip to the line via a guide groove of theclip and the stop arrangement centrally arranged in the latter.According to the invention a clip can also be produced with anespecially simple, robust design by way of simple means.

In addition, it is easier to achieve an effective control by employing asole, simple stop arrangement and opposite end stops internally in aclip, than by employing a clip which is controlled between two end stopsin a sleeve-shaped stop arrangement of known construction. But the stoparrangement can with advantage also find application as end stops oneach side of a separate rotatably mounted clip.

The guide groove can be milled out or hollowed out in another way in thematerial of the clip on the inner side of the clip with an equivalentlyreduced wall thickness at the guide groove. This can be appropriate inlines which are exposed to limited tension forces.

In lines which are exposed to strong tension forces however it ispreferred that the guide groove is pressed out of the clip materialwithout substantially reducing the wall thickness of a clip, but with aform which provides extra support and reinforcement of the annular shapeof a clip.

It is preferred that the stop arrangement has a substantiallyrectangular cross-section. There can hereby be ensured an effectiveengagement between line and stop arrangement and in addition greatinherent rigidity can be achieved in the stop arrangement.

In this connection, the connecting arrangement is characterised in thatthe stop arrangement is formed with two or more depressions on the outerperiphery of the ring shape and equivalently with two or moreprojections on the inner periphery of the ring shape and withsubstantially circular arcuate portions between the depressions on theouter periphery of the ring shape, the projections forming anchoringmeans of the stop arrangement on the line, while the substantiallycircular arcuate, outer portions constitute a substantial proportion ofthe radially outermost peripheral portion of the ring shape forcontrolling a clip on the stop arrangement.

By employing initially an annular stop arrangement, the stop arrangementcan first be easily threaded into place on the line and by deforming thestop arrangement the latter can be effectively fastened in place at theintended location on the line. Finally, by deforming of a clip thelatter can be clamped in place in an easy and accurate manner in arotary engagement with the stop arrangement, controlled via the internalguide groove.

In the following there will be described a preferred embodimentaccording to the invention having regard to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 shows in side view a connecting arrangement, illustrated incombination with a line fragment and a snell.

FIG. 2 shows in cross-section the same as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows in cross-section in a first embodiment a clip which forms apart of the connecting arrangement.

FIG. 4 shows in cross-section in a second embodiment a clip which formsa part of the connecting arrangement.

FIG. 5 shows in a side view a clip according to FIG. 4 illustrated incombination with a line fragment.

FIG. 6 shows in a side view a third embodiment of a connectingarrangement in combination with a line fragment.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section along the line 7—7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section along the line 8—8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of a clip as illustrated in FIG. 7 in aninactive, unaffected condition.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show in side view a fourth and a fifth embodiment of aconnecting arrangement in combination with a line fragment.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 a fishing line 10 is shown with associated snell 11.The snell 11 is provided at the free end with a fishing hook (not shown)in a manner not shown further. The snell 11 is connected to the fishingline 10 by means of a connecting arrangement 12. The connectingarrangement 12 shall allow rotation of the snell 11 about its own axisand shall allow in addition swinging of the snell 11 about the axis ofthe line 10, at the same time as the snell 11 is to be retained in placein the intended position on the fishing line 10.

The connecting arrangement 12 comprises a swivel 13 in the usual way,which is directly connected at the one end to the snell 11 (in a mannernot shown further) and is connected at the other end via an elongatefastening eye 14 in an outwardly extending tail portion of a clip 15.The clip 15 is fastened in place around the line 10 via a split-up clipring portion 16.

According to a first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the connectingarrangement 12 further comprises a stop arrangement 17 in the form of asimple, corded body. The corded body is made in the first embodiment inthe form of a closed ring. In a local portion 19, as shown in FIG. 2,the ring is pressed inwardly into the line 10 substantially across thelatter. At the same time as the pressing in of the ring portion 19 iseffected radially inwards into the line 10 by means of a suitable tool,the remainder of the ring forms a resistance to such a pressing in by asupporting abutment around the periphery of the line and with thisbecomes effectively clamped against the line with a ring portion 18,which surrounds the major portion of the periphery of the line in tightabutment against the latter. The projecting ring portion 19 and thesubstantially circularly shaped ring portion 18 of the stop arrangement17 are arranged in one and the same plane at right angles to the line10.

According to the invention a ring portion 16 of a clip 15 is designedwith an internal, annular groove 20, which forms a guide groove for aclip 15 relative to ring portion 18 of the stop arrangement 17.

It is possible to clamp the clip 15 in place directly on the stoparrangement 17 after the latter is fastened beforehand in place on theline, so that the plane through ring portion 18 and ring portion 19 ofthe stop arrangement coincides with a radial plane the internal guidegroove 20 of the clip. The clip 15 is adapted to be pivotally mounted onthe stop arrangement 17, which on its side is adapted to be effectivelyanchored to and buttressed against the line 10. The groove 20 canconsequently allow the clip 15 to ride on the stop arrangement 17without forming an abutment against the line 10 itself. By means of theannular groove 20 and the annular portion 18 an accurately adaptedmounting of the clip 15 on the stop arrangement 17 can be ensured and atthe same time an effective mutual buttressing ensured which can providean effective transfer of force from the clip 15 to the stop arrangement17 of the forces which necessarily arise in the connecting arrangement12 during use.

By employing an annular stop arrangement 17 unnecessary deformation ofthe line 10 can be avoided with the ring portion 19 at the same time asensuring effective fastening of the stop arrangement 17 to the line. Thering portion 18, which forms a support against the line, supports thedeformed portion 19 in an effective manner in the line 10 by acooperation between the external clip 15 and the internal stoparrangement 17. However this type of stop arrangement is preferred, withonly one radial projection, on such lines where a relatively low tensileforce is exerted between the snell 11 and the fishing line 10 via theconnecting arrangement 12. Below reference will be made to examples withseveral radial projections.

In FIG. 3 a clip 15 is shown, where the groove is milled or hollowed inanother way from the sheet material of the clip 15. There is herebyobtained a smooth outer surface on a clip 15, but simultaneously asmaller wall thickness in the region of the groove 20. Below referencewill be made to examples having reinforced walls in the region of thegroove 20.

In FIG. 4 a second construction of a clip 15′ is shown, where the groove20′ is produced by a deformation of the sheet material of the clip,without weakening a clip 15′. By this a clip 15′ can have the same wallthickness at the end edges as at the middle, where the groove 20′ isformed. In this case a relatively small, low bead 21′ is obtained on theouter side of a clip 15′, as is shown in FIG. 5. Consequently the bead21′ can in addition serve to reinforce a clip 15′ in its flexed annularuse condition. There is shown a circular arcuate bead in FIG. 5, where aclip 15′ is seen from the side and fastened in place in the use positionon the line 10.

In FIG. 6 a clip 15″ is shown in side view, according to a thirdembodiment. Bead 21″ of a clip 15″ is shown having substantially thesame height, as illustrated for bead 21′ of a clip 15′ in FIG. 5, butwith significantly greater breadth. A clip 15″ has besides the samebreadth, as shown in FIG. 4, but with correspondingly shorter side flaps21 a″ and 21 b″ at the side of the bead 21″. In order that the outwardlyprojecting flap portion of a bead shall project outwards as little aspossible, the fastening eye 14′ can be designed as is shown in FIG. 5 orthe fastening eye 14″ can be designed as is shown in FIG. 6, where thefastening eye 14″ is partly hollowed out of the bead 21″ itself.

In FIG. 7 there is shown a cross-section of a clip 15′ and an associatedstop arrangement 17″, according to a second embodiment, while in FIG. 8there is correspondingly shown the stop arrangement 17″, which isillustrated with an approximately rectangular cross-section. Initiallythe stop arrangement 17″ has, as is shown in FIG. 9, a circular ringform. By three arrows A there are indicated schematically in FIG. 9three clamp parts of a tool for jamming/deforming the stop arrangement17″ in place on the line 10. The tool (not shown further) can have threeclamp jaws (illustrated by the arrows A) with a clamp portioncorresponding to the depressions 22 which are shown on the peripheralportion of the stop arrangement 17″ in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, after deforming and thereby fixing the stop arrangement 17″on the line, the stop arrangement 17″ is shown with an approximatelytrefoil-shaped annular cross-section. The stop arrangement 17″ isfixed/deformed in place on the line 10 by means of the three depressions22 illustrated. By designing the stop arrangement 17″ with asubstantially rectangular cross-section, one has the possibility ofbeing able to deform the stop arrangement in a controlled manner andsimultaneously ensure an effective supporting abutment via a relativelylarge support surface on the inner side of the stop arrangement at eachof the deformed, inwardly directed projections 23 of the stoparrangement 17″. By limiting the deforming surfaces of the clamp jaws toan extent corresponding to the illustrated depressions 22 and byextending in addition the clamp jaws sideways a supporting abutment canbe achieved at the side of the non-deformed portions 24 of the outerside of the stop arrangement 17″. Thereby a controlled deforming of theannular shape of the stop arrangement 17″ to a substantially trefoilshape as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively there can be employedsubstantially a heart shape or kidney shape, two-leaf shape or four-leafshape or like leaf shape. Consequently one has been able to ensure in aready manner a sharply defined, wedge-shaped depression 22 on the outerside, but at the same time a uniform and relatively gently roundedprojection 23 on the inner side. A particularly gentle, but especiallyeffective clamping engagement with the line 10, can hereby be achievedwithout the danger of damaging individual filaments of the line 10 andwith a minimal possibility of moving the stop arrangement 17″ relativeto the line. This has appreciable significance on using the line atlarge ocean depths, where considerable tensile loadings can betransferred in the line and in addition large tensile forces in thesnell 11 via a clip 15″.

Provision is made for the non-deformed portions 24 of the stoparrangement 17″ to collectively constitute the major portion of theangular arc of the stop arrangement 17″ in the peripheral direction, inorder to ensure thereby an optimum support surface for a clip 15″.

By means of the rectangular shape of the stop arrangement 17″ and anequivalent plane inner side surface 25 of the middle portion of a clip15″, an effective mutual supporting abutment between clip 15″ and stoparrangement 17″ in the arbitrary rotary positions of a clip 15″ on theline 10. By means of rounded transition portions 24 a externally on thestop arrangement 17″ and rounded transition portions 25 a internally ina clip 15″ an effective control can be ensured between a clip 15″ and astop arrangement 17″ both in the direction along the line 10 andobliquely of the longitudinal direction of the line.

In FIG. 10 a clip 15″ is shown fastened in place directly on the line 10between two stop arrangements 17″ which are separately securedcorrespondingly as described above with reference to the examples ofFIGS. 5-9. In this case a clip 15″ can be moved a limited distance alongthe line 10 between the stop arrangements 17″ and also be freely swungabout the line 10 as required.

In FIG. 11 another simpler clip 15′″ is shown of initially an annularcord which is double-folded into a C shape about the line 10 to form twodistinct bearing portions 15 a′″, 15 b′″ and two intermediate loops 15c′″ (only the one is shown herein). A clip 15′″ is pivotally mounted onthe line 10 with the bearing portions 15 a′″ and 15 b′″ arranged on eachside of a common stop arrangement 17′″. In such a case the swivel 13 ishooked in place in a manner not shown further in the two mutuallyparallel loops 15 c′″ which depend from the line 10, so that a clip 15′″can be retained on the line 10 by means of the swivel 13.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination, a fishing line; and at least onering mounted on said line and having at least one peripheral portiondeformed radially inwardly into said line to clamp the remainder of saidring peripherally against said line.
 2. The combination as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said ring is a closed ring.
 3. The combination as setforth in claim 1 which further comprises a clip pivotally mounted onsaid line about said ring, said clip having a ring portion disposedabout said line and said ring and an outwardly extending tail portionhaving an eye therein, said ring portion of said clip having an annulargroove receiving said ring.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3wherein said annular groove is hollowed out from the remainder of saidclip.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said clip ismade of sheet metal and a central portion thereof is deformed to definesaid annular groove.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 3 whichfurther comprises a swivel connected to said tail portion of said clipand a snell connected to said swivel.
 7. The combination as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said ring has a trefoil-shaped annular cross-sectiondefining three depressions deformed radially inwardly into said line. 8.The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said ring has arectangular cross-section.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 7which further comprises a clip pivotally mounted on said line about saidring, said clip having a ring portion disposed about said line and saidring and an outwardly extending tail portion having an eye therein, saidring portion of said clip having an annular groove receiving said ring.10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said annular grooveis hollowed out from the remainder of said clip.
 11. The combination asset forth in claim 9 wherein said clip is made of sheet metal and acentral portion thereof is deformed to define said annular groove. 12.The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said ring has arectangular cross-section and said ring portion of said clip has acentral portion forming an annular groove receiving said ring therein ina mutual supporting relation.
 13. The combination as set forth in claim1 comprising a pair of said rings clamped to said line in spacedrelation and a clip pivotally mounted on said line between said rings,said clip having a ring portion disposed about said line and anoutwardly extending tail portion having an eye therein.
 14. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a clippivotally mounted on said line, said clip having a pair of bearingportions arranged on each side of said ring and about said line and saidclip having a pair of parallel loops depending from said line.
 15. Incombination, a fishing line made of filaments; at least one ring ofcorded material mounted on said line and having at least one portiondeformed radially inwardly into said line to clamp the remainder of saidring peripherally against said line.
 16. The combination as set forth inclaim 15 wherein said ring has a rectangular cross-section.
 17. Thecombination as set forth in claim 15 wherein said ring has atrefoil-shaped annular cross-section defining three depressions deformedradially inwardly into said line.
 18. A clip for a fishing linecomprising a ring portion for disposition about a fishing line, saidring portion having an internal annular groove in a central region; anda tail portion extending from said ring portion, said tail portionhaving an eye therein.
 19. A clip as set forth in claim 18 wherein saidannular groove is hollowed out from the remainder of said clip.
 20. Aclip as set forth in claim 18 wherein said clip is made of sheet metaland a central portion thereof is deformed to define said annular groove.